Travel, Paperwork, Permits, foreign citizen registration etc

I have been meaning to write about the various paperwork that you might need as part of moving and living in India.

Foreign citizen registration process in India

If you are not an Indian Citizen or if your Kids are not Indian citizens, then you will need to get a residential permit stamped on your foreign passports. This is process is done at your city's Police commissioner's office. In Bangalore its at the FRO office (No1 Infantry road). The process of obtaining is permit is a bit time consuming and sometimes quite painful.

Every foreign citizen residing in India over 180 days MUST get the stamp. Regardless of age. There is some misconception about this rule for kids. But that is not true. They give you a tough time if you are beyond the 6- months limit and might make the process even more painful. Its best to simply got get this process done within the first 2-3 months of arrival. Sooner the better.

Disclaimer: This is based on our experience in Bangalore. Not sure how the other cities work.

1. Collect all the documents necessary. This list can change slightly, list on the website was fairly accurate. Take more copies than you think you will ever need! Take extra pictures, all original passports, PIO cards etc. I have notes on the paperwork necessary at the bottom of this post.

2. Your visit will start with standing in line to enter the building. This line can be long at time. The officers will take a quick picture of you and give you a visit pass. This process of getting a visit pass is not totally enforced. The second and third time we went there, we skipped this part and went straight into the concerned offices.

3. Day 1:Get into the at Single Window department. An officer will go through your paperwork to make sure you have everything place. 99% of time, you will be missing something. If its just extra copies, you can make photocopies across the street from the main gate and get back to single window. You will see a lot of people cutting the line to talk to the officer there. Knowing the local language really helps! If you run out to make copies, you can try to talk to the officer without getting back in line. The experience is quite nice, you will see people from all over the world, getting yelled at by this guy :-)

4. Next step, after all the papers are in place, you will asked to get a sign off from the Assistant commissioner. This process was simple for us. Just walk into his office, he quickly looks at your paperwork and signs it off. we did not have to wait in line.

5. Day 2: You will then be asked to take the paperwork to the assigned officer. He will take your paperwork and ask to you to come the next day. Although, we just said yes and went back the next day, there maybe chances you can get this guy to move it to the next step the same day. We assumed it will all be ready the next day, only to find out that all he did was put the papers in a file and the next day asked us to submit the passport and come back the next day.

6. Day 3: Go back to the officer and he will ask you to submit your original passport at a specific counter and take a receipt. They will give you a specified time to come back the next day to pick up the passport. In and out in 15mins.

7. Day 4: Go back to the counter with you receipt. They will make you talk to the assigned officer and one other guy and then the passport will be ready for pick up at the counter. The process only took about 15-20 mins. Make sure the passport is stamped with multiple entry and for the period the passport is valid. Now, you are free to travel and out of India and reside in India without any restrictions.

So there you go! Allow yourself 4 consecutive working day mornings/afternoons to get this stamping done. The process as such was simple except for the multiple visits. No bribes, no cost for the whole thing. Except for ofcourse get the photocopies and affidavit (about Rs200 for that)

Note on Financial affidavit:
You can download the template from the FRO website. Take to a typist/notary service store , usually found near registrar office of your area. Typically you will find several of these notary people. Some people act like they are doing some sort of free service and give you the runs, don't waste your time with them. Just go to a more professional looking one. This should not cost you more than Rs200. There is also a "Advocate" signature part, this will not be done by the notary. You will have it find a lawyer in your area ( yellowbook) call and get this done. Should cost maybe another Rs200 or so. I had it done through a friend who happened to be a lawyer.

Address proof: Make sure you take copies of electricity bills, bank passbooks, rental agreement, sale deed etc. If you are staying at someone's house, make sure you take a letter stating the same, written and signed by the homeowner (whose name should be on the electricty bill).

Good luck with the process, although time consuming, We did not find this process painful.